Live in the Rock Bar by Башаков: A Raw, Unfiltered Blast of Russian Rock Energy
If you’ve ever been to a rock bar that smelled like spilled beer and cigarette smoke, where the crowd’s energy hits you like a freight train—this album nails that vibe. Live in the Rock Bar by Михаил Башаков is one of those rare live albums that doesn’t just capture music; it captures moments. Released back in 2014 under King Size Production, this record screams raw authenticity, with tracks that feel alive, imperfect, and real. It’s not polished studio magic—it’s sweat, grit, and heart.
The band lineup alone tells you this was a labor of love: Виталий on bass guitar keeping things groovy, Николай hammering away at the drums like his life depends on it, and Александр shredding solos on guitar that make your ears perk up. And let’s not forget Денис adding sax lines so smooth they almost don’t belong here—but somehow do. Oh, and Михаил? Dude’s vocals are straight-up haunting. They’re rough around the edges but dripping with emotion, like he’s singing directly into your soul.
Let me tell ya about two tracks that stuck with me long after the needle stopped spinning (yeah, I still use vinyl). First off, “Светлый День” (“Bright Day”). You’d think from the title it’d be all sunshine and rainbows, right? Nope. This track punches you right in the feels. The guitar riff kicks in sharp, almost angry, and then Михаил comes in with these lyrics that hit different—like nostalgia mixed with regret. There’s something about how his voice cracks slightly during the chorus that makes you sit there thinking, “Damn, have I lived this moment before?” By the time the sax solo kicks in, you’re not sure whether to cry or grab someone and dance wildly across the room.
Then there’s “Не Парься” (“Don’t Worry”), which is basically the opposite mood-wise. If “Светлый День” is introspective and heavy, this one’s like throwing caution to the wind. The rhythm section—props to Виталий and Николай—is tight as hell, driving the song forward with relentless energy. And man, when the whole band joins in for the chorus, shouting “Не парься!” over and over again, it’s impossible not to sing along. It’s the kind of track that reminds you why rock shows exist—to forget your problems for three minutes and lose yourself in chaos.
But what really stands out about this album isn’t just the music—it’s the little details. Like the sound of glasses clinking faintly in the background during “Фонари,” or the way the crowd cheers wildly between songs, reminding you this wasn’t some sterile recording session. Vladimir Trukhan did an incredible job mixing everything together without losing that live-edge charm. And props to Роман Кожухов for the photos—they perfectly capture the grungy, chaotic beauty of a night out at a rock bar.
Here’s the thing though: listening to Live in the Rock Bar feels like stepping into another world. One where people still care deeply about live music, where every note played matters more than perfection. But honestly, halfway through writing this review, I realized something kinda funny. For all its intensity and passion, the album also left me wondering… does anyone even go to rock bars anymore? Or are we too busy scrolling TikTok while pretending we’re cool?
Anyway, give this album a spin if you miss the days when rock ‘n’ roll felt dangerous. Just don’t blame me if you end up booking a flight to Russia looking for a dive bar exactly like the one this was recorded in.
